Boston Molasses Disaster

January 15, 1919

ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2011 1

The Scene
A cast-iron molasses tank in Boston at the Purity Distilling Co.
58 feet high 90 feet wide Cast-iron plates
sunk in concrete riveted together

2.3 million gallons of molasses

ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009

Tank explodes with great force

ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009

The Flood
Molasses floods the streets with 8 15 foot waves Moves at speeds of 35 mph Force of 2 tons per square foot Devastates a low-lying section of Commercial Street between Copps Hill and the playground of North End Park
ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009 4

Area of devastation

ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009

Map of Area

ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009

The force of the explosion was so great that:

Half-inch steel plates of the huge molasses tank were torn apart. ("Seeking Cause of Explosion," The Salem Evening News, January 16, 1919: 7.) The plates were propelled in all directions, hard enough to cut the girders of the elevated railway. (Ibid.) After the explosion, a tremendous vacuum sucked into ruin buildings which had withstood the primary blast. (Ibid.)
ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009 7

Tank and Elevated Train Line

ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009

The force of the explosion was so great that:

The vacuum also picked up a truck and dragged it across the street toward the molasses tank. ("Big Molasses Tank Blast Kills Eleven," The Boston Globe, January 16, 1919: 8.) An elevated train was lifted off the rails and fell onto the ties. (Ibid.)
ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009 9

The force of the explosion was so great that:

Some buildings collapsed. Some buildings were knocked off their foundations. Some buildings were buried under the flood of molasses.

ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009

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Rescue Efforts

ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009

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Clean-up Problems
As clean up began, the molasses spread even further due to the water being sprayed to try to remove the molasses. Soon, seawater was used to try to wash the goo away. This caused another problem. The seawater caused the molasses to bubble and foam and create an even bigger mess.

ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009

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Possible Causes of the Explosion

Fermentation Sudden rise in temperature (2 F to 43 F) Inadequate tank design and construction

ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009

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Devastation
21 people killed 150 injured 2.3 million gallons of molasses released Buildings destroyed Cars crushed Elevated train trestles knocked over Company paid $1 million in damages PE registration
ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009 14

Contemporary account

ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009

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ME 6222: Manufacturing Processes and Systems Prof. J.S. Colton (C) GIT 2009

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